I have an issue with my gearbox 5er. Its a model 335 which I believe is 35', double axle. My right rear tire has been wearing the outside tread bad, it appears that the tire is toed in. I verified it with a straight edge. On the left front, the tire has been wearing on the inside. checked it with a straight edge the tire is toed out.

right front is wearing perfect and left rear is wearing perfect...........

I take it to mike thompsons to have it looked at because I bought a $4k service/warranty plan from western general through them and I though it might make the process easier.

I get a call from them today saying the problem is the 3 brackets that hold the hangers for the leafs are bent only on the passenger side and that western general doesnt cover that. Parts and labor to fix will be around $900

The thing that strikes me as odd is if the brackets are in fact bent, wouldnt all tires be wearing funny????? To me it almost sounds like the spindles are bent.

anyone have any input or experience with this type of problem?????

forgot to add, its an 07

i have a03 ww 3 axle the rear axle tires worn see if the trailers dog leg then lift the trailer remove tires if you want then loosen the u bolts alighn the axles then retighten it worked for me the trailers new the u bolts loosend up

i had tires sidewalls bubble on me replaced with spare put the tire back in the rack under the trailer got home my trailer sits on the side of my house by my bedroom so 3 o clock in the so guess what booooooom

if the axle was out of alignment wouldnt both tires on the axle wear out funny, not just one?

just one tire right rear never had a problem since

is that a scu car

interesting...................


yup, its an SCU!!!

Eric - I'm no expert but, on my WW '33 04 (triple axle) the shackles were all worn and sloppy (including the middle carrier piece - don't know the actual name). One set of shackles even wore completely through on one trip - the leaf spring rested on the bracket welded to the frame. With all of that slop and movement the tires tread pattern was fine - no irregular wear. I would definitely be suspicious of your diagnosis from MT. My .02

check them u bolts put a wrench on it if it turns easy thats the problem all that weight will move those axles

neither am i just changed a set of six tires were five years old tread wore straight can' t explain it if you have the time try it

thanks jack, I just wanted to make sure my thoughts were not out of line.

I talked to the service writer today at MT and explained to him my theory. He said they will take another look at it and take some measurements, which leads me to believe they only "visually" inspected it and did not completly check it out like they said they would. we'll see what they come back with..........

How much of that is parts? The brackets are like 1/4" thick welded to the bottom of the frame. I don't know how much they are but not too expensive. Here's what I do know.
Spring $35 - $50
U-bolts ~$5
Shackles ~$5ea
Shackle bolts and nuts ~$5
I broke a spring. During my research to get a new one. I find out my 11,800 gross weight trailer has 4 leaf spring springs (2250). Which are under weight. I bought a new 5 leaf (2500lb) with new u-bolts shackles and bolts Cost $70 total. Also the shackles are none greasable so trailer places sell bronze shackle bushing kit with greasable bolts for $170.

Point is even if they replace everything on one side it shouldn't be more than $150 in parts plus the brackets. While its apart have them put greasable bushings in it. and verify your springs are correct for your gross weight.

To be honest I didnt even try that, I probably should have. If youre right I would hope the mechanics would catch that.

Its just really weird that its only one tire on each axle........................

Parts I was told, total $60, so that leaves about $840 for cutting off 3 brackets and welding new ones on. For that much money I'll tackle the job myself.

I really dont believe that the brackets being bent (only on the passenger side according to MT) are causing my problem. To me it seems more likely that the axle might be bent, in turn bending the brackets?????

I will check the springs when I get the trailer back. thanks

hey if it works let me know

My axles are arched up so the weight will push the arch down to make it straight. I don't think bent brackets would cause misalignment. I think your axle is bent. I would find a heavy trailer alignment place and let them look at it.

My axles also have an arch to them.

If it doesnt work out at MT does anyone have a shop they would recommend?

I'd go down there and ask them to personally show you where and how they found the defects.

FYI I'm getting ready to order the Dexter EZ-FLEX System for my 5er.
http://dexteraxle.com/inc/sdetail/18100

well, after fighting with MT for a couple weeks. They are going to warranty both axles.

I have a Attitude and it did the same thing, look at the Axel and the frame and see was the manufactures is, my frame was made by Lippert and the spindle was welded of from the centerline of the Axel tube buy 3/4" and my tire was bald on the outside edge in 200 miles it was $320 to fix it but Lippert sent me the new Axel and I am waiting for them to check the old Axel and I am hoping they will pay for the labor too.

i will say my brother has a 34' triple axle tow sierra that last time we were out we noticed that one side all the brackets had folded and the welds were cracked...the axles were flipped, i don't know if that made a difference, but we were camping in the desert by ridgecrest and luckily was able to limp in and have it repaired. know i don't know if that has anything to do with you problem, but it is something to check when looking over your rigs...i couldn't believe how thin the material for the brackets were.